Long Overdue Holiday to Scotland

What a wonderful time I've had over the last week in rainy, misty, windy, sunny, warm, friendly Scotland. 4 people stand out and will remain in my memory as constants when reliving my experiences there. One of the ladies is the General Manager of McColls Hotel in Dunoon - she is the heart and soul of the place and in my opinion is irreplaceable. The other 3 people will know who they are and I thank them here for the fun, laughter, friendship and consideration for me. though knowing these very special people for a short time I feel that I've known them for so much longer.

I will write more of my new love - Scotland when I can - it will take me a while to get my thoughts and photographs together.

In the 'Old Dart'

Following an uneventful flight from Australia I arrived in England sore, stiff and tired but not hungry :)
Sleep evaded me for the most part so I was very pleased to touch down at last to have my niece, sister and husband waiting for me.

Today, is the 14th August, I have been here just over 1 week. I have spent valuable time with family members, getting to know my sisters grandchildren, done a little ‘shopping’ as one does (especially for shoes) and I have to pack on Saturday for a week in Scotland leaving on Sunday morning.
I’m travelling alone; albeit with a group of people all going in a similar direction but I have the opportunity to stay with them or move around on my own – I intend to do a little of both.

For the time being I’m enjoying being in the ‘slow lane’ – which is taking some getting used to. I’m also feeling just a tad homesick but it won’t last long, though there are some special people and a little black dog I think of every day.
More to come>>>>>>

Roaming Gnome

I will soon embark on my travels. firstly to England via Singpaore and Dubai. Travelling with highly recommended Emirates Airlines I shall be well looked after I'm sure and the only worry I have about the flight is that I don't snore when I fall asleep :)

I will write about my adventures as often as possible for those of you interested and will also endeavour to add photos along the way so you too may share my travels.

The name I've chosen here was conjured up by Rachael & Steven because being vertically challenged my supposed lack of height is a usual topic of conversation. So you see I am BIG enough to take it :)

Watch this space!

Von
xx

Zygocactus

Zygocactus is one name for this beautiful plant, Holiday Cactus, Easter Cactus a plant named for some of the most popular celebration times of the year - I think that says something about the longevity of this particular plant.
It's an old plant, passed on from one generation to the other and never seems to lose it's allure for pergolas and balconies and windowsills in cooler climates.
I believe they originate from Brazill which surprises me as it flowers in cooler climates, it's a joy each year to see those buds appear and bloom in so many different colours to bring joy in it's own inimatble way.
Not bad for a epiphyte that usualy grows between 1000 and 1700 metres.
Treat yourself to one of these hardy, beautiful plant pots of colour and joy.

Ripples

Ripples every time I move
warm water, amniotic fluid
soft music, ethereal in its essence
my mind no longer arid.

Closed eyes, open mind
I let the feelings come
total relaxation. Wet hair
an idyllic place I roam,
music, audibly yet softly played
behind my purple veil
as I lie here in this heaven
to lost islands I’ve raised sail.

Purple swirls in mists of time
take me to a higher plane
I linger here, there is no rush
I need this to stay sane.
Lost inside my reverie
I’m at one, myself, just me
behind my eyelids gently closed
such wonders I can see.

Candles burning, sometimes flicker
their aroma fills my head
listening intently to my ‘voice’
to remember what is said.
Time passes by, feeling inert
My body clocks tells me:
It’s time to go the water’s cold
With no more tracks on my CD! :)

Von Powell©

Constant Companion

I have a constant companion, her name is Jess. She will be 5 years old in August - in people years that's 35!
She is totally black except for her blue eyes, with a little dark brown (from her Mom) around her muzzle and I adore her.
She is my dog yes, but much more than that. Since the death of my husband (who named her) she has been the beating heart I come home to each time, the eyes I see every morning are hers, she talks to me in her own fashion and I her; in fact we are the best of friends and she really is a 'constant' in my life.
I come home from a trip to the shop perhaps and I'm greeted with such gusto it must have felt like 2 weeks for her.
Nothing makes her happier than running for her ball in our yard over and over and over >>>>
This little dog has been my saving grace over the past lonely months and I wish she understood me when I tell her so.

Edith Wharton

There are two ways of spreading light:
to be the candle or the mirror
that reflects it.

© Edith Wharton

Schoolgirl French

My daughter in law is taking French Lessons! It’s time she states. Last night Rachael came over to stay with me and together with her French phrases we had a a gigglethon. I left school in 1967; I had attempted to learn to speak French at school, unfortunately it wasn’t conversational French, however I did learn to count to ten, that a door is female and how to open and close said door :)
However, last night as we were attempting to get the accent ‘just right’ (which isn’t easy ) words came flooding back, words take note not sentences that had been buried in my memory banks for decades.
We giggled a lot and Rach made notes but by the end of the evening I had remembered enough to wish her:

"Bonne nuit Rachael mon cher"

Maybe there is hope for me yet!

Rabindranath Tagore

When death comes and whispers to me,
"Thy days are ended,"
let me say to him, "I have lived in love
and not in mere time."
He will ask, "Will thy songs remain?"
I shall say, "I know not, but this I know
that often when I sang I found my eternity."

Update

I've been 'away' for a while, not physically but emotionally. I have now experienced some of the ‘1st’ anniversaries of my bereavement and they haven’t been easy.
My Husbands birthday, 19th June was a very difficult day. My son and I travelled to the Crematorium to see my husbands’ name on a wall with a tiny bud vase for a small flower tribute at the side.
The tears flowed and memories came flooding to mind, but sad and painful memories which were outnumbered easily by happier times and yet the sad ones prevailed. I’m not sorry I went though as it made me feel stronger knowing for certain that David is not there, he is where ever I am. He is at home, in the car, by my side guiding and caring for me as he always did.
Each day I miss him, I miss his voice and the fun we had for so many happy years together. I have to hold on to them for as long as I’m able.

A Murder of Crows

CollectIons or gatherIngs of birds, fish and animals have always interested me and If I don’t know the collective name of a group of animals etc I try to find the correct description of them.
Herd of Cattle, Den of Lions, Shoal of Fish, - for me personally I don’t think that any of them bring forth one’s vivid imagination as much as ‘A Murder of Crows’!
I’ve read that the name originated because at times a female crow is literally pecked to death by other bIrds, thus, in human terms, murdering her.

I truly believe that animals, particularly In the wild have different reasons for their actions and cannot have human values placed upon them, therefore what we might describe as murder they may be ridding their species of an inferior bird who may not be strong enough to breed, fend for herself, survival of the fittest, a description given to animals In the deserts and jungles of the world seems to fit this scenario.

The reason this has sparked my interest is that two days ago in my back garden I was inundated with Crows, the noise was literally deafening and surprised as I was I had to go to investigate why there were so many gathering in one place – my yard!

Of course they scattered (noisily) as I approached and as much as I searched for carrion of any kind I found nothing. Had there been any dead animal my dog would have found the source without a doubt.

They must have been watching because as soon I returned to my house down they came once again and repeated their actions, flapping, cawing, so many of them I lost count.
I was so intrigued by these bIrds and yet I still do not know the reason they did this.

There were birds there of different ages (look at their eyes) and I imagine both gender but it’s a total mystery to me why they picked my yard for whatever reason privvy to them alone.

Whilst standing in my yard I watched them circle around the outskirts of my place, perching in the taller gum trees and felt they were watching me too.

Whatever their reasons for being here I watched and listened with curiosity and wonder, still not really knowing why they chose my yard that day, but glad they did, although I still find their group name rather discomforting.

If in doubt - read the instructions.....

If in doubt: read the instructions.....
As technology moves steadily forward I realised a short time ago that it had overtaken and almost forgotten about me. So.....
I now have a brand new-custom built PC that I have been practising on for a few days now and my opinion is definite – I did the right thing replacing my old XP for Vista – I’m thrilled with it. So much to learn yet but I can meet this challenge and I can see so much use of this ‘new’ machine for me.
As with any new technology be it a vacuum cleaner, or coffee maker the older we advance the longer it seems to learn which button does what and as frustration builds we might even read the instructions – stranger things have happened.
Luckily I have a savvy son who can help point me in the right direction when I get into trouble (which I do – with aplomb).
So I’m going to be practicing daily on Vonnie’s Vista – [its’ Windows officially but I prefer my version] – fun! fun! fun! :)

Definition of the Soul

Our Souls are often defined
as a unique spiritual body,
having its roots in eternity
carrying our thoughts,
activities, experiences
acquired over many
incarnations.

These memories, which,
permeate every cell of our
physical body, making us
a reflection of the
current state of our souls,
as it continues on its
never ending journey
to spiritual perfection.

Our Souls, so aware of the
experiences we need
to deal with, in each of its
lifetimes, it imbues our every
body cell with its mission
to enable us to
accomplish its destiny within us,
its current life.

Our physical self feels a state of
unease, at a deep, difficult to explain,
level, our soul is aware that we have
lost sight of our life plan
creating conflict, illness and loss of self.

Look within yourself,
where is your life heading,
are you at peace with your
own soul?

I don’t believe I have reached
this pinnacle in my life,
I have to keep on trying!



Von© 24th July 2004

Spike Milligan - again..

I must go down to the sea again

I must go down to the sea again,
to the lonely sea and the sky;
I left my shoes and socks there -
I wonder if they're dry?

Eat your heart out John Masefield! :)

Peaceful thoughts

A beautiful aspect of Australia, calm, peaceful scene where one can sit, listen and watch nature doing her work.

Drought Broken in Queensland

The longest drought in Queensland has broken today with more than double the amount of monthly rain in one day.

Queensland weather is varied, sometimes unpredictable, heartbreaking at times, glorious, too hot, too wet but it's home :)

My only worry was the drainage system couldn’t take such a huge deluge without dragging leaves and litter so I had a very exciting time trying to remove same so that my house didn’t have water lapping at the steps. I had to call on help from my brother-in-law. We eventually beat it and the water was draining freely. There is more wet and windy weather yet to come.

Our Dams which have all been so far below recommended levels, sometime down to 16% capacity today are over 60% and the Premier of Queensland declared this afternoon that our drought was officially broken. Nevertheless, the price some people have had to pay has been terrible and seeing them on the news with tears running down their faces was very confronting.

Not only damaged houses, and one death so far but also children were cut off from their parents by low-lying areas turned into mini-dams, not allowing vehicles to travel the roads. Schools, in the main are closed on Thursday and a few kids are having to ‘sleep over’ with their teachers to keep the children safe. A huge concern for all parents being separated from their children.

However, back to my spoon drain! I’ve been checking on it regularly through the night as rain has been hammering down and everyone must be wondering what will happen over night and what we will wake up to in the morning.

It’s nearly midnight so we won’t have to wait for long.

sitting at his bedside

My Husband sleeps most of the day;
a brain tumour is stealing his life away,
His memory lives from our past years
and oft we wipe away our tears.
He’s in good care, I ‘feel’ it here,
the staff, reduce my stress and fears
I know when David’s life is spent,
they’ll understand when I cry and vent,
For the heartbreaking loss when David’s time,
belongs to him and no longer mine;
To share with him as we have for years,
no more, strong arms to allay my fears.
So many positives if I could but write,
in deepest shadow by our losing fight,
We take all we can from every day,
there seems so much for us still to say.
Our Son, we love, and memories,
and the grief of all our ‘yet to be’s.’
We erred when decisions were made to wait,
until ‘next year’ not knowing our fate
Cancer took rights from our hands,
for reasons we don’t understand.
We’ll say Goodbye in a very short time,
then all decisions will be mine,
One of these as David’s Wife
is to love him always til the end of my life
And when my time comes and he waits for me,
and once again, I then will see
His cheeky smile, his bright blue eyes,
together we’ll travel the bright blue skies.

~~~
For My Darling David 19th June 1950 ~ 6th March 2009

© Vonnie
February 2009

David

To My Husband

Between somewhere where you are
And somewhere where you're going
You will think of me
And know you have been truly loved

Von xxx

(author unknown)

Spike Milligan

Summer Dawn

My sleeping children are still flying dreams
in their goose-down heads.
The lush of the river singing morning songs
Fish watch their ceilings turn sun-white.
The grey-green pike lances upstream
Kale, like mermaid's hair
points the water's drift.
All is morning hush
and bird beautiful.

If only,
I didn't have flu.

Life wasn't meant to be easy .....

“Life wasn’t meant to be easy, my child, but take courage: it can be delightful!”


George Bernard Shaw